‘The Ice Cream Man,’ a Holocaust Short, Screened by Chabad of RSF

The Ice Cream Man is a short 30-minute film based on events that led to the largest anti-Nazi protest in history.  Ernst Cahn (Noah Emmerich) an ice cream shop owner learns that the Nazis want to kill him for being Jewish.  He must choose between resistance and death.

Robert Moniot. the writer/ director and producer of the Academy Award-nominated documentary and producer Greg Malone participated in a Q&A at the event.  In attendance were Ben Midler and Andrew Benedek, Holocaust survivors. Midler said this film, a true story, is important.

Robert Moniot is not Jewish.  Many asked questions as to why he chose to make this film. He responded that when he  learned the story of Ernst Cahn, he knew this story had to be told.   He was able to capture the story beautifully.  At the end of the Q&A Rabbi Raksin gave both Moniot and Malone candles and yarmulkes making them “honorary Jews.”

On a personal note: over 30 minutes, we felt every possible emotion known to man. We learned so much about the film, especially since the jail used in the filming was the same jail that Erst Cahn was in.  Filming was in Amsterdam and in Columbus, Indiana.  Robert Moniot and his children are in the film.

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Sandy Scheller is the curator of RUTH: Remember Us the Holocaust, a traveling exhibit scheduled for a year at the La Jolla branch library beginning in January.